Radiator-heater.



A. R. CLARKE.

RADIATOR HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. I916.

Patented May 22, 1917.

ZZ Z7 Jnucwkoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT B. CLARKE, 0F SHERIDAN, WYOMING, ASSIGN'OR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 CLARKE ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WYOMING.

RADIATOR-HEATER.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed February 21, 1916. Serial No. 79,762l.

The invention may be more particularlyidentified with combustion engines employing water cooling systems, and aims primarily'to provide a simple and efliclent means for maintaining the water in the cooling system at a degree of temperature above the freezing point, particularly when the engine is at a standstill.

The invention aims further to provide means capable of ready application to the water cooling system of a motor or combustion engine such .as is commonly used in motor vehicles, which may derive its heat from the batteries or other electrical source usually employed with such motors, and which is of such construction or arrangement as to require but low voltage and amperage for its perfect operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is composed of comparatively few inexpensive and readily assembled parts, each of which is so arranged when the device I is assembled as to preclude the possibility of breakage or derangement of the same, which, as a whole, may be quickly and easlly at tached or detached from a water cooling system of a motor, and which will prove thoroughly'eflicient in the attainment of the ends I for which it is designed.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated inthe drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of a conventional form of engine of the internal combustion type with the usual water cooling system attached thereto, and illustrating the application of a heater constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2, is an-enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the improved heater,

Fig. 3, 1s a top plan view of the improved heater, and

Fig. 4, is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which the heater is connected with-the batteries of the motor.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings 5 indicates a conventional form of motor or gas engine, and 6 a radiator of the ordinary construction, the latter being connected with the water jackets of the engine cylinders by a pipe 7 at one end, and by a pipe 8 at its lower end. As is well known to those familiar with motors of this type, a pump 9 is used, and a flexible tubing or hose 1 0 is usually arranged to connect the pump inlet withthe pipe 8 projecting rearwardly from the lowermost portion of the radiator. It is within this flexible tubing or hose 10 that I preferably install my water heating device.

In carrying out the invention, I employ a tubular member 11, made of any suitable light material such as aluminum, and arranged to provide an enlarged portion 12 intermediate its ends, from which an outcemented or in any other suitable manner secured to depend from the lowermost edges of the bushing is a relatively thin porcelain shell 14, said shell having its free end closed, and having its opposite end seated against a shoulder formed in the inner surface ofthe bushing, so that it constitutes a substantial continuation of said inner surface. This shell is substantially equal in diameter to that of the bushing, and projects within the enlarged portion 12 of the tubular member to be contacted by water passing therethrough; A gasket 15, preferably of copper, is inserted between the shoulders of the nipple and the bushing to prevent leakage at the seat of the water, and this gasket is provided with an outwardly projecting arm or portion 16, upon which a binding screw 17 is arranged. A core 18, formed ofporcelain, is adapted for insertion within the shell 14:, the said core being of such dimension as to provide a space between the innermost end and side walls of the same and the interior walls of the porcelain shell 14:. This core may be provided at its outermost end with a screw member 19, exteriorly threaded as shown for engagement with the threads upon the interior surface of the bushing 14. The core 18 is preferably cemented to the said screw member, and is provided with a centrally disposed bore through which a wire 20 extends, the said wire protruding beyond the lowermost end of the core and for the remainder of its length forming a heating coil 21 surrounding the said core. The extremity of the coil is secured to the lowermost end of the screw member 19. The opposite end of the wire 20 projects slightly above the outer end of the core 18 and is provided with a binding screw 22 by means of which one terminal of an electrical circuit may be secured. The gas ket or washer 23 of copper or any other suitable metal may be interposed between the screw member 19 and the outer shoulders of the bushing 14.

The heating coil 21 within the nested elements 18 and 14 is of such arrangement or fineness as to require a low voltage and amperage to produce or generate a relatively high degree of heat, and may derive its source of electrical energy from the source commonly used upon a vehicle for supplying current to the ignition or lighting systems thereof. This electrical source is indicated generally at 24, wires 25 and 26 leading from the opposite poles thereof to be connected respectively to the binding screws 17 and 22 of the-improved heating device. A switch 27 may be located within the circuit, and preferably at a point within convenient reach of the motor operator, whereby the heating system may be switched on or off when desired.

In operation, when it is desired to maintain the water within the cooling system of the motor at a degree above the freezing point, the switch 27 may be closed, whereupon current will pass through the coil 21 from the source 24, within the shell 14: to generate therein a relatively high degree of heat. As the water adjacent the heater rises in temperature a current will be created throughout the cooling system, which sys-. tem includes the cylinder jackets and the radiator. As the water slowly passes the heating devlce, the heat will be radiated through the relatively thin walls of the porcelain shell 14 and a sufficient degree of heat will be maintained in the water to prevent the same from freezing. By reason of the instalment of the device within the tubing connecting the radiator with the pump inlet, it is apparent that the device may be quickly and easily attached to or detached from the cooling system.

While I have herein described and shown a particular or preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I need not necessarily confine myself to all the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as modification and variation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims' I claim:

1. A heating device comprising in combination, a tubular member adapted for insertion in a fluid passage, supporting means integralwith said tubular member, a bushing detachably secured in said supporting means, a thin shell secured to said bushing to project into said tubular member, a closing member detachably inserted within the outer end of said bushing, an insulating core secured within said shell and spaced from the walls thereof, a coil surrounding said core and having one end connected to said closing member and having its opposite end extending through said core, and means for connecting said coil in a circuit.

2. In a device of the class described, a tubular member adapted for insertion in the cooling system of a combustion engine, a nipple on said tubular member, a bushing detachably secured in said nipple, a porcelain shell secured to said bushing to project into said tubular member, a screw member inserted within the outer end of said bushing, a core secured to nest within said shell and to be spaced from the walls thereof, a coil surrounding said core and having one end connected to said screw member, the opposite end of said coil projecting beyond said core, a binding screw in connection with said latter named end, a gasket between said nipple and bushing and a binding screw on said gasket, the said binding screws being adapted for connection with the wires of a source of electrical energy, substantially as described.

3. A heating device comprising in combination, a tubu ar member adapted for insertion in a fluid passage, supporting means ina thin shell supported by said bushing to project into said tubular member, a closing member detachably inserted within the outer end of the bushing, an insulating core secured Within said shell and spaced from the Walls thereof, a coil surrounding said core and having one end connected to said closing member and having its opposite end extending through said core, and means for connecting said coil in a circuit.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

1 ALBERT R. CLARKE. Witnesses:

CLAIRE E. CONE, H. E. LONABAUGH. 

